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The house that is now the Adkins Funeral Home has long been regarded as one of the premier landmarks and historical treasures of Mad River Township in Clark County, Ohio. Built in 1855, it is a magnificent example of Italianate design that was so prevalent during the Pre-Civil War era.

Nearly every key feature of the Italianate style was incorporated into the construction, from the cupola that originally crowned the building to the prominent eaves and the square, two-story shape of the home. It stands today as a reminder of the craftsmanship, the attention to detail, and the elegant ambiance that existed in the world of our forefathers.

Some of the original components of the house are still in tact: the solid brass and crystal chandelier in the main parlor (imported from England by the Smith family, believed to be the first owners of the home), the original staircase and banister, a built-in silver pantry, two large, free-standing cabinets made of walnut that adorn our lobby, as well as beautifully ornate moldings and doors and original metal wall coverings. The opulent surroundings of this home seems to transport one back in time, while still offering a comfortable environment for the families who seek our services.

Adolphus Henry Smith, Sr. 1814-1902

Adolphus Smith, Sr. is believed to be the first owner of the house that now is Adkins Funeral Home. He was a prominent businessman from Cincinnati, Ohio who made his fortune in banking, real estate, and various other business interests, such as distilleries. He was an advisor to Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War and did much of the purchasing of goods for the Union Army in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Kentucky. Mr. Smith undoubtedly profited from his involvement in the war and in 1864 he and his wife, Sarah, followed the trend of the social elite of Cincinnati and began to look for a summer home to the North.

At that time Cincinnati was the largest inland city in America. During the summer, the heat combined with the pollution of industry to make life in the city unpleasant. Because travel to the South was more difficult, people began “summering” towards the North. Many people chose the area around Yellow Springs, Ohio because at the time it was believed that the Springs offered medicinal benefits and so the town became a sort of spa / get away location. Many of the affluent families from Cincinnati spent their summers in this area, including Adolphus Smith and his family. Mr. Smith purchased several tracts of adjoining land around the sight of this house and dubbed his new country home “Enonside Place”. Under his ownership this became not only his summer retreat, but also a working farm of 1600+ acres.

Originally from Rochester, New York, Adolphus Smith, Sr. excelled in business pursuits from a young age. His family was wealthy and well connected, which certainly aided him in his life. However, Adolphus stood out in his family as a determined, self-driven person and it is likely that he would have succeeded with or without these advantages. He eventually relocated to Ohio, first to Piqua and then to Cincinnati, where he partnered with a family friend, John Bates, in many of his business ventures. Bates was a wealthy and successful man, best known for building and managing the National Theatre in Cincinnati. His daughter, Sarah Bates, married Adolphus Smith in 1842 and they had five children: Amelia Wells, Maria Hickenlooper, Sarah Harbine, Adolphus Smith, Jr., and William Smith.

After the Civil War, the Smith family moved their primary residence in the Queen City to the affluent Dayton Street (known at the time as “Millionaire’s Row”) while at the same time purchasing the property of Enonside Place where they began to spend their summer months. Mrs. Sarah Bates-Smith died in 1873 and Adolphus remarried in 1874 to Sarah K. Morse, the widow of a highly esteemed Judge from Hamilton County. Adolphus Smith, Sr. and his second wife, Sarah, retired to their home in Enon in the late 1870’s. (Maybe insert picture of the old woman in the hat- that is Sarah Morse Smith)

Mr. Smith traveled extensively, both in America and abroad, and he after his retirement he wintered in Florida. We know from his biographies (written during his lifetime) that his trusted servants ran his estates and his farm under the supervision of his eldest son, Adolphus Smith, Jr., during his absences.

Adolphus Smith, Sr. died at the home of his daughter, Sarah Harbine, on July 20, 1902. He was 88 years old and worth well over a million dollars.

Adolphus Henry Smith, Jr. 1850-1925

Adolphus Smith, Jr. passed his youth in Cincinnati, Ohio where he obtained most of his education. He joined his family in Enon at their country home for the summers and attended a military school in Clark County as well. Afterwards he attended Notre Dame University for two years.

In 1868 he came to live at Enonside Place until his marriage to Sarah Shellabarger at the age of 21. He rented an adjoining farm of 160 acres for his new bride and at the age of 27 was able to purchase that farm for his growing family. In addition to the labors of his own estate, he assumed the management of his father’s farm while Mr. Smith, Sr. was away.

When his father passed away in 1902, Adolphus Smith, Jr. inherited an equal share of his father’s estate, which was substantial. Part of his inheritance was the possession of Enonside Place, although it was never deeded to him. He was granted possession of the entire property during his lifetime, but ownership of the estate was passed directly to his children to avoid paying inheritance taxes. Adolphus and Sarah moved their family of seven children into this house, where they would remain until his death. Adolphus Smith, Jr. was known to go up into the cupola of the house, which originally sat atop the roof and watch the workers in the fields. He aspired to “own everything he could see” while he was up there. In pursuit of that he expanded the farm to 2500+ acres during his lifetime.

Adolphus married Sarah J. Shellabarger on October 17, 1871. The Shellabarger family was among the earliest pioneers to Clark County. Adolphus was glad to marry a local girl and settle down in Enon. Unlike his father who traveled extensively, Adolphus Smith, Jr. was contented to spend most of his time at home. He was a Mad River Township Trustee for 22 years, a member of the school board, and of several local organizations including the Masons. He remained an influential member of the Enon community until his death.

Adolphus Jr. and Sarah had seven children: Amelia Baylor, Maria Johnson, Mary Engledue, Rilla Drake, Justin Bates Smith, Gertrude Lohnes, and Helen Hale Mahan. After the death of his first wife, Adolphus Smith, Jr. remarried to Sarah Ellen Smith. That union, like his father’s second marriage, produced no children.

Adolphus Smith, Jr. died on March 8, 1925. One year later, the house was deeded off with 5.43 acres and sold out of the Smith family. The Smith’s had owned Enonside Place for more than 60 years. Much of the farm was divided between four of the Smith daughters who had married prosperous, local farmers from Enon.

Many descendants of the Smith family still live in and around the Enon area.

20th Century Owners of this House

In August 1926, Amelia Smith Baylor, acting on behalf of the four siblings who inherited Enonside Place, sold the house and the 5.43 acres that still accompanies the house today to Elder Welch. It was sold again a few months later to William Graham, who kept it only a few years. John and Thelma White purchased the home in 1928 and lived in the home a little less than a decade.

In 1936, during the great depression, the house was foreclosed upon and sold by way of sheriff’s auction. In April of that year, Robert Olinger, an assistant prosecuting attorney for Clark County, and his family took possession of the property. The next owners, Doyt and Betty Sherienbeck, bought the house in September of 1953. They operated a horse farm here until a tragic barn fire in December of 1960 claimed the life of Doyt Sherienbeck. A few years later Betty sold the house to the Murray family and it eventually became the sole property Mr. John Murray.

In 1986, John Murray sold the home to William and Ina Bicknell. Mr. Bicknell took a year off of his job as an engineer and the couple devoted themselves fully to the renovation to the renovation of the house. Their hard work was rewarded when their daughter was married in the home in May of 1988.

In 2003, Walter and Sheri Adkins purchased this magnificent house for the purpose of opening a funeral home. The Adkins, like all the former owners, are proud of the beauty and the history of this house and will continue to preserve and protect it for the entire community to see and appreciate for generations to come.

For more information about the history of the house or the Adolphus Smith family, feel free to contact us directly.